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How parts are cleaned in the automotive industry

The automotive industry is extremely pretentious, and since the field is so competitive, manufacturers must have, besides the basic strength points, also a lot of attention to details. Since there are many companies providing vehicles or machines through a JIT system (just in time), all their products must be flawless and the losses have to be minimal. Just in time is a strategy of production launched in the automotive field by Japanese manufacturers, involving the efficient use of resources in order to meet the needs and expectations of the client specifically: the company produces in perfect accordance with the clients’ demand, to increase profits and reduce wastes as much as possible – so no error is allowed. The automotive industry has adopted this method successfully, which is why most of the manufacturers must have all the raw material once the creation of the project is launched, and all the parts have to be in perfect state at the same time, so that the product is delivered in a timely manner. For this reason, manufacturers have perfected all their methods, from parts washing to assembly and finishing. Originally, parts washing has appeared as a method to improve the functions of vehicles, and was made through a rudimentary process: tanks were filled with water and detergents; solution used to moist the dirty so that afterwards it was easier to remove manually.

Once technology developed, this was also reflected in terms of parts washing, so new safe and eco-friendly methods appeared. In time, these have varied a lot, and nowadays the most common are through mechanical energy and high temperatures – the latter one being the most efficient against oils. Due to the chemical reaction caused by detergents and temperature, even the most grassy or old parts can be cleaned, in an efficient and fast way. In addition to this, it is well known that greases and oils are less viscous when exposed to high temperatures, which is why the parts washing liquid mixed with water (at temperatures of about 75°C) are able to meld even the most difficult or old greases, making them flow and thus are easily removed from the surfaces. This method brings fast results, through a simple and efficient process. However, since this high temperature cannot be supported by any type of device, many parts washer cannot use it, because the systems used are a bit more sophisticated and ample. For example, the pumping system required additional careful design, in order to properly deliver washing solution at a temperature close to that of liquid boiling.

The automotive industry is so complex, and only the parts washing techniques represents a topic which could be enlarged a lot. The machines used should be complex in order to support performing solutions, operations and processes. For this reason, each element should be carefully designed and maintained. Parts washers’ work is an elaborated process, being either aqueous based or using solvent solutions, but due to the high technologies they use, the result is almost always granted.